SEOUL — Amendments to South Korea’s Information and Communications Network Act have drawn criticism from the United States, UNESCO, domestic media groups, and civil society, amid concerns the law could stifle free expression.
Passed last month, the revisions require online platforms to remove content deemed false or defamatory by the government-appointed Korea Media and Communications Commission, which can impose fines of up to 1 billion won ($690,000). The law also allows citizens to demand corrections or rebuttals to editorials and opinion pieces, raising concerns over potential government overreach.
The Journalists’ Association of Korea called the legislation “toxic” and accused lawmakers of rushing it through without public consultation.
Communication expert Seong Jae Min of Pace University said the law may encourage platforms to take disinformation seriously, though he acknowledged the risk of chilling investigative journalism.